Everton newboy Yannick Bolasie says he is settling in well to life on Merseyside – despite the disruption of the latest international break.

Bolasie returned to Finch Farm this week having helped the Democratic Republic of Congo secure their place at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations last weekend. The 27-year-old is expected to go straight back into Ronald Koeman’s starting line-up for Monday night’s Premier League clash at Sunderland.

The £25m man has made a bright start to his Blues career, with Koeman already stating that there is more to come from the former Crystal Palace man. And with the international break behind him, Bolasie says he is looking forward to seeing more of the city, as well as showing Evertonians what he is all about.

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“I am settling in well, even though there has been a little bit of disruption with going away on international duty,” he told Everton’s official website.

“Off the pitch, I’ve not seen much of Liverpool yet because I have been away in DR Congo.

“I have just moved in to a new place but literally the day after, I was on a plane.”

DR Congo’s qualification for the Cup of Nations means Everton will have to do without the winger for a month in the New Year, but Bolasie says he relishes playing in front of the Congolese supporters – likening them to Evertonians in terms of their passion.

“It was a good result for us because we needed a win or a draw to qualify,” he said of their 4-1 win over the Central African Republic. “It was great to go on and get a win for our home crowd. We played in front of nearly 100,000 people so to win for them and for the country was good.

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“It’s incredible to play in front of that amount of fans but we get that at training to be honest. I have been playing for DR Congo for three years now so it is becoming normal for me.

“For all the new players that come into the team, though, they stand there in shock because they can’t believe there are so many people who support the team. But in Congo, it’s the same as here at Everton, the fans are passionate about their football and their team.

“For me, going back to Congo is always an eye-opener. It makes you appreciate the things that you have got in life. To be amongst the people and be able to make them happy makes me feel even better.

“It doesn’t matter that I was born in England. I can speak the language – Lingala - and my parents are from there. Every time I wear it, I do my all for the shirt and the country whenever I step out onto the field. The fans have taken me as one of their own.”